Davidson.

Here we are, seven years later, still going strong, but it's hard to believe that after all this time together, we'll be parting at the end of May.

So let me start off my letter by gracing you with a thank you.

Thank you for the people.

I can't imagine what kind of person I would be if I didn't go to a school like Davidson that forced me to mature quickly, and be held accountable for for my actions. The people that I've had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know from sixth grade until now is honestly unbelievable. I've had my fair share of friendships that have come and gone, but I've somehow managed to find my group, my core friends that I know are forever.

Thank you for the challenges.

Whether it was taking four AP classes or dealing with tech week, you taught me to always strive for greatness. Because of the advantages that I had from attending a fine arts school, I was often blessed with opportunities to attend conferences and meet new people, or just get to know people better. It's hard to believe that sometimes we were able to fit school, rehearsal, meetings, homework, meals, and sleep all in one day, but you taught me to manage that.

Thank you for being my rock.

We all say we hate school. But do we really? Have we ever sat and thought about what our lives would be like without it? Pretty boring. From crying in the locker room, to the feelings of excitement after acing a test, you've been with me through it all. All the drama and all the emotions and all the hard work (especially when you were finishing that last little bit of homework right before you went to class because you had to choose between showering, sleeping, eating or finishing the worksheet and ultimately the homework got the short end of the stick).

Thank you for teaching me to believe in myself.

Davidson is like a family. Probably because we're together from the time we're in the sixth grade until we walk across the stage and receive the diploma we've been itching for since freshman year. If it weren't for the constant hustle and bustle in the hallways, or the fact that you had to learn to trust yourself when going in for an audition, or following a pattern, or sketching something, I would've never learned to have confidence and pride in what I was doing or the decisions I was making. You had to learn that if you didn't believe in yourself, you couldn't believe in other people.

Thank you for the teachers, the custodians, the administrators, and everyone else who's helped along the way.

Starting off with the morning greeting from Mrs. Schaffer in the front office was always brought a smile to my face, or seeing the custodians walk around and joke with the students, as well as each other. Watching the modern classes out in the commons and always wanting to take a peak, just to see what kind of beat Mrs. Mayfield was making on her tambourine that day, or wondering if Mrs. Toole ever really wore shoes anywhere. The fear that always went through your mind when you saw Ms. Harper in the hallway until you got to know her, then you realized she was just a huge softie, or the weird smell that resides in HB's room but because you go in there so often you've become accustomed to it.

There's a sense of comfort in Davidson, a feeling that will always be there, even once we're gone.

So thank you.

Thank you DFA for staying faithfully and constantly in my life for the past seven years. I wouldn't change the times we've had together for the world.